FOLLOWING the need for post-2015 engagements with the Government of Norway, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon reports that Guyana has received US$150M of the agreed US$250M from their Norwegian counterpart under the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). 

At his weekly post-cabinet press briefing, Dr. Luncheon yesterdasy lauded the work of former President Bharrat Jagdeo in devising the strategy that would see not only Guyana’s economy benefiting from “the payments for environmental services,” but similarly the rest of the world.
He also recognised the importance of continued relations between the two countries as he made note of a recent visit by a delegation from the European country, which saw the satisfaction of both parties.
“I think the statement that fundamentally crystalised what drove the process was the assertion by the Norwegian Minister of their conviction that Guyana continues to safeguard its forests… and that the Government will continue that engagement,” Dr. Luncheon said.
Defining the role of the Government in maintaining close ties with Norway, Dr. Luncheon made clear the administration’s willingness to keep the Amaila Hydroelectric Project alive, despite widespread condemnation from the combined Opposition in the National Assembly.
Further recognising the many ‘roadblocks’ to fully achieving the vision of the current Administration, Dr. Luncheon said: “This Government remains inflexibly committed to renewable energy… in the form of the hydropower facility at the Amaila Falls.”